With a clear electoral message focused on the spring of 2027, Kyriakos Mitsotakis opened his speech in Leros, linking the next election with Greece’s presidency of the European Union and the critical decisions that will be taken during that period regarding the bloc’s new budget.

“One of the major questions of the elections will be which government and which prime minister will preside over the European Union when very important decisions will be made about the future of Europe, Greece, and our islands,” the prime minister emphasized.

Mr. Mitsotakis argued that the government has demonstrated that it has “the knowledge, credibility, prestige, and ability” to negotiate in Europe on issues that benefit the country, placing emphasis on the question of stability and Greece’s effective representation.

“In the spring 2027 elections, we will once again ask for your trust, not because of what we have done,” he said, but for the plan for the next period and the development roadmap for Greece, Leros, and Agathonisi with a horizon extending to 2030.

What has already been implemented, he added, constitutes “our passport of credibility,” allowing citizens to trust New Democracy again, “because they will remember that what we told you, we have done.”

The prime minister also recalled the strong percentage achieved by New Democracy in Leros in the 2023 elections, reaching 52%. “The higher the percentage one receives, the greater the sense of responsibility,” he noted.

“Let Us Leave to Misery Those Who See Everything as Black”

Immediately afterward, Kyriakos Mitsotakis raised the tone against those who, as he said, insist on presenting a negative image of the country.

“Let us leave to misery those who want to see everything as black. Problems exist. But Greece today is in a much better situation than it was in 2019,” he said.

He added: “I guarantee to you that in 2030, with a New Democracy government, Greece will be in a much better situation than it is today.”

Security Before Development

The prime minister then placed security and stability at the core of the development prospects of Greece’s border islands.

“Security and stability are prerequisites for prosperity. No one would invest here if they saw the situation that existed a few years ago,” he said.

He also referred to the strengthening of the Armed Forces, stressing that island residents can feel safe because “the country has never had stronger Armed Forces than those it has today.”

“Greece Actively Protects Its Borders”

Turning to migration, Kyriakos Mitsotakis compared Leros today with previous years, when the island was on the front line of the refugee crisis.

“None of this could have become reality without one essential prerequisite: security, stability, and addressing the refugee and migration problem,” he said.

He directly criticized the previous government, saying it followed a policy that “believed the sea had no borders” and that the islands could function as reception centers for anyone entering the country.

“That has now changed. Greece actively protects its borders. Flows have decreased,” he stressed.

“Now I do not see refugees and migrants. I see many visitors and many Turkish visitors who come and take advantage of the express visa,” he added.

“Here You Can See Where the Money Goes”

Responding to criticism over the management of European funds, the prime minister presented projects in Leros as an answer to claims that Recovery Fund money was directed only toward large urban areas.

“Here you can see where the Recovery Fund money goes,” he said, pointing to the interventions being funded on the island.

Kyriakos Mitsotakis said that when he returns to Leros, he sees progress, secured funding, and residents who now face the future with greater optimism.

“Leros is changing in terms of infrastructure. It is an island that is developing rapidly and becoming firmly established on the tourism map,” he said, while emphasizing the need to preserve the island’s unique character and combine development with sustainable tourism and major investments.

Regarding healthcare needs, he said that for the first time there had been increased interest in filling available positions, while specifically addressing the shortage of a cardiologist.

“I know we have a problem with the cardiologist. We will solve that as well, because we like to deal with the details of issues,” he said.

He also referred to the reduced VAT rate on the islands, except Rhodes, noting that he was aware of the outstanding issue.

Mitsotakis: “We Are Completing the Largest Infrastructure Intervention in the National Health System Since Its Establishment”

Earlier, the prime minister visited the Leros State Hospital – General Hospital – Health Center, where extensive renovation and modernization works have been completed using Recovery Fund resources as part of the broader investment being carried out in Greece’s National Health System.

“The government will complete within the coming months, with the closure of the Recovery Fund, the largest intervention in the infrastructure of the National Health System since its establishment. It is truly very encouraging that wherever I go throughout Greece, I see interventions in hospitals, emergency departments, and health centers, proving that Recovery Fund resources, especially in healthcare, have been put to good use,” the prime minister said.

Kyriakos Mitsotakis, accompanied by Health Minister Adonis Georgiadis, Second Regional Health Authority Governor Christos Roilos, South Aegean Regional Governor Giorgos Chatzimarkos, and Mayor Timotheos Kottakis, toured the facilities, guided by hospital administrator Stamatis Kardasis, and had the opportunity to speak with staff members, whose numbers have been increased.

“We continue. Our commitment is to deliver a National Health System much better than the one we inherited, with emphasis on infrastructure, preventive examinations, and staffing of the National Health System. Much has been done, and much remains to be done, but I do not think there is any doubt that the National Health System is moving in the right direction,” the prime minister added.

The interventions at Leros Hospital resulted in the substantial upgrading of the Emergency Department, the cardiology, internal medicine, gynecology, and pediatric wards, the operating theaters, the Radiology Department, the Artificial Kidney Unit with a capacity of 10 stations, as well as shared areas. An energy upgrade of the building is also planned.

“We were very pleased to welcome the prime minister to Leros Hospital and show him firsthand the significant progress we have made with funds from the Recovery and Resilience Facility, completing the largest reconstruction project of the Emergency Department and clinics here in many years. These days, the inclusion of the major energy upgrade project in the Operational Programme is also being signed, which means that one year from today the entire hospital will literally be new,” Health Minister Adonis Georgiadis said.

“We would like to thank you for your support in our efforts. The project you have just toured is one of the most important projects that began during the previous term and was completed during our term. The development effort continues,” hospital administrator S. Kardasis said.

The projects contribute to the further improvement of healthcare coverage in the Dodecanese, given that last year Leros Hospital received more than 33,500 patients, of whom 10,000 were treated in the Emergency Department.

Significant Investments in Port and Cultural Infrastructure

Kyriakos Mitsotakis also visited the port of Lakki, where significant maintenance works were carried out with funding from the Recovery Fund, while an expansion of the main pier has been planned with the aim of upgrading the facility as a whole.

The prime minister also visited the new marina for tourist vessels, for which the licensing process is underway. Once completed, it will be able to accommodate up to 70 recreational boats, strengthening the island’s ability to welcome maritime tourism.

The next stop on the prime minister’s visit was the historic “Leros Hotel” in Lakki, which was restored by the Ministry of Culture after approximately four decades of disuse. The building has been transferred to the municipality so that it can be used as a multipurpose venue for cultural events and as a guesthouse for visiting artists.

Kyriakos Mitsotakis toured the facilities, including the interior courtyard, where a summer cinema will operate.